Virat Kohli once again stamped his authority on cricketing history by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar to become India’s highest run-scorer against New Zealand in One Day Internationals. The landmark was achieved during the second ODI of the ongoing India–New Zealand series in January 2026. Kohli entered the match level with Tendulkar’s tally and crossed the milestone with a boundary off his very first ball.

With this achievement, Kohli now stands at the top among Indian batters against the Black Caps in the 50-over format. His consistency and dominance against New Zealand bowlers over the years have set him apart, reflected in his impressive average and strike rate. However, on the global list, Kohli still trails Australian legend Ricky Ponting, who remains the highest run-scorer against New Zealand in ODIs.

In the all-time list, Ponting leads with 1,971 runs from 51 matches, followed by Kohli with over 1,751 runs in just 35 matches. Sachin Tendulkar now occupies third place with 1,750 runs from 42 games, while Sanath Jayasuriya sits fourth. Kohli’s superior average among the top contenders highlights his remarkable efficiency in the format.

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This milestone against New Zealand is part of an extraordinary run for Kohli. Earlier in the series, during the first ODI in Vadodara on January 11, he became the fastest cricketer in history to reach 28,000 international runs. He achieved the feat in just 624 innings, surpassing Tendulkar’s long-standing record of 644 innings.

In the same match, Kohli also overtook Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket, behind only Tendulkar. Adding to his resurgence, the ICC confirmed on January 14, 2026, that Kohli has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, dethroning Rohit Sharma.

At 37, Kohli’s return to the top marks his 11th separate stint as the world’s No. 1 ODI batter. His recent form includes five consecutive 50-plus scores in ODIs, underlining his longevity and hunger for runs. As records continue to fall, Kohli’s legacy as one of the greatest batters of all time grows stronger with every innings.

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